Tag: friends

5 Reasons Why You Should Befriend Your RA

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When you move into college your freshman year, you’re (most likely) going to have an RA [aka resident assistant] who will help you navigate the university and college life. Now, typically, I feel as though RA’s get a bad rap because they are there to enforce rules. However, RA’s aren’t just there to scold you, so here are five reasons as to why you should befriend them:

  1. They’re older than you– this means that they have been in your shoes!! Your RA has already survived their freshman year and can help you overcome any challenges you may encounter.
  2. Older (Typically) means they’re wiser– By wiser I mean they can help you schedule and pick out classes, give you advice on what professors to take and/or avoid, how to deal with roommates, help you with tricky homework problems, and show you all of the amenities that your college has to offer! Also, besides school, they may have encountered a similar “life crisis” (a break up, the loss of a pet or loved one, or failure) and can help ease the pain/make wise choices.
  3. It’s their job to be there– Whether or not you are in need of advice, guidance, or a helping hand they have been trained for a multitude of situations and can help you with virtually anything OR will find someone who can.
  4. You may find that you have a lot in common– For example, you both like the outdoors, traveling, or anything and everything in between. Also, you both might have the same or similar majors. This means that in the future, you could be in the same classes and you’ll have someone to study/compare notes with!
  5. They may become one of your best friends– First off, making new friends is a little tough, so befriending them gives you an advantage! Secondly, I can truly attest to this! My freshman year I bonded with my RA, Danielle, after hang
    ing out a few times and getting lunch together. We were inseparable! Soon after, we decided to room together the following year and it was one of the best decisions I ever13112621_10208016486843398_274800255_o made. Her “senior year” and my sophomore year were filled with an abundance of laughing until our stomach hurt, crying until we couldn’t breathe, excessive pizza and dance parties, pranks, buckling down to get homework done, and being each other’s cheerleaders! She has helped me up, dusted me off, and has pushed me to be my best countless times and I would (and always will) do the same for her. Danielle has attributed to my college experience by making it fun and memorable.
    Honestly, I couldn’t have made it this far without her and I don’t want to live a life where we aren’t friends. I am beyond lucky to have had her as my RA.

See?! RA’s aren’t so bad! So everyone, putting your class standing aside, if you have an RA please take your time to get to know them or even just say “Hey wanna get food sometime?”. I pinky promise you won’t regret it!

Sophomore Schooling

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As my sophomore year has come to an end, I feel as though this year was filled with so many more life lessons than my freshman year. So without further nonsense, let’s get started.

  1. If you don’t like what’s going on in your life/you’re unhappy with a situation MAKE A CHANGE: LET ME SAY IT ONE MORE TIME FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK IF YOU DON’T LIKE A FACTOR IN YOUR LIFE MAKE A CHANGE. This is one of the most important things I have taken away from my sophomore year. For example, during the fall semester, I hated the classes I was taking for my major. I was so incredibly unhappy with where my major was taking me and I didn’t feel like what I was doing was right. So one afternoon I sat in my room and took career path quizzes literally all day. Once I got over the fear of disappointing others and putting my happiness first, I changed my major. After I sat in my first advertising class of the winter semester, I knew the change was for the better.
  2. Listen to your gut: Your gut, conscious, or whatever you choose to call it is always right. When it tells you to leave, get the hell out. When it tells you to speak up for yourself, let your voice echo from the mountain tops. When it tells you something isn’t right, it isn’t and you need to stick to your morals. Just listen to your gut, please do it.
  3. Put yourself out there: This can be in a class, group, club, or whatever else life throws at you. If you just sit around and don’t push yourself to get where you want to be, you’ll never get there. Yes, yes, yes it is terrifying to possibly face  rejection. However, this way you’ll be getting your name out there and show people who you’re interested. Without change and stepping out of your comfort zone, you’ll never grow or get what you want.
  4. Take the initiative: Be a leader. Stand tall. Take charge. Whether it be in a group project, sorority committee, or talking to someone new! If you want something take the initiative to get it because no one can read your mind.
  5. Cry if you need to: While I’m very in tune with my emotions, sometimes I hate to cry. First, because I’m an ugly crier. Second, because there are times when I don’t want to feel any emotion and try to be strong. But this year I have learned that to feel better, you just need to let those tears flow! Once you’ve had your pity party, then you can come back happier than ever!
  6. Be honest: It’s honestly as simple as it sounds. Tell people how you feel. They’ll have more respect for you when you do.

Well… I’m a junior. Holy heaven above it’s crazy. I’m so excited where life is taking me and I can’t wait to learn more! Love life, smile more, and enjoy the ride!

xoxo,

Marissa

128 Sisters and Counting

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Not including myself, I have a family of 127 sisters. No, we are not all biologically related. No, this isn’t some crazy story that’ll end up on TLC or 60 Minutes. I have 127 sorority sisters.

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Never in my life have I had a biological sister. I always wanted one, but my mom and dad told me, “No, you and your brother are enough.” I would get frustrated that I didn’t have anyone to talk about boy drama with or share shoes with, but then I came to college, went through recruitment, and was welcomed with open arms to more sisters than I ever imagined wanting.

Looking in, people would probably think putting 128 girls into one room would start World War III, but it’s far from the truth. My sorority sisters are some of the most amazing people I know and I’m lucky to know them all by name (unless I’m exhausted and mix up a name or two, it has happened). They are my cheerleaders and support team. They are my go to when I need advice. They are my comedians. They are my team members. They are my co-workers. They are my classmates. Honestly, the list goes on for forever and I hope I am the same for them.

Everyday I am exposed to their opinions, thoughts, values, ideas, and accomplishments and it has helped me grow to see so many other points of view. They’ve voted me onto committees, teams, and an executive position which have all shaped me into the woman and leader I am today. They do so much for me and I wish them all nothing but happiness and achievement!

I wouldn’t be the same person I am today if it wasn’t for my sorority sisters and I am incredibly blessed to have them in my life. I love them for who they are and what they do in and out of our chapter and I’ll support them no matter what 🙂

So, Go Greek, it will be the best decision you’ll make all year.

DZLAM!

What lifts you?

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Your first blog post is supposed to be meaningful right? Or am I just making that up?… Regardless, mine will be 🙂

Since January, I’ve been on a happiness journey. I spent $66 dollars (God bless) on a planner that I religiously fill out and I talk about the highs of my day and month. I eat all the pizza I want. I try to laugh as much as I can in one day. And I’m trying to spend as much time with my friends and family as possible.

At the beginning of my journey, it was incredibly rough. I cried everyday. Didn’t talk much. Couldn’t sleep. I was on the brink of self destruction and deep down I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t know how to change my attitude. What honestly saved me was talking to the people that loved me most. My mom, dad, brother, my best friends, my sorority sisters, my lovely roommate, and my at the time significant other. At first, I would feel terrible about dumping my emotional vomit on them, but once I barfed it out I would feel the tiniest bit better. I wrote in journals, on the computer, I did anything I possibly could to try and dump the toxic thoughts out of my body. But most importantly, I began to give myself more credit than I had been.

For lent, I gave up negative thoughts (first because I’d probably keel over if I couldn’t have chocolate, second because I don’t think God wants anyone to live a depressed life).

As of now, I’ve had some bumps and bruises, but I always try to get back up on my feet no matter how hard the challenge is.

So, I challenge you to surround yourself with people who lift you higher and to love yourself. Screen Shot 2016-06-18 at 11.47.42 PM.png